It's not quite as good as getting a full-season pickup, but it's always a positive sign when a network decides to order new scripts for a freshman series. On Friday, October 19, ABC did just that for two of its new dramas, Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue.

As first reported by Deadline.com, each of these new fall dramas received an order for two additional scripts. Both shows have struggled in the early weeks of their runs, but ABC is evidently confident enough to consider keeping them alive.

Last Resort, a military thriller that follows the crew of a rogue submarine, airs in the tough Thursday night spot at 8pm. Going up against such competition as The Big Bang Theory, it was always going to be a struggle for this show, created by Chicago Code veteran Shawn Ryan, to do well. And this has been what happened. Scoring only a 2.2 rating for adults between 18 and 49 in its premiere, Last Resort has not performed as well as the network probably hoped.

So why more episodes? Two reasons: One is the competition. The other is the gain made when DVR viewings are added in -- the numbers go up by 45 percent with that factor considered.

ABC's horror drama, 666 Park Avenue, has also struggled. Despite being the final program of a strong Sunday-night lineup -- Once Upon a Time and Revenge precede 666 Park Avenue -- the show only managed a 2.1 rating for the 18-49 demographic. But again, ratings go up sharply -- by 52 percent in this case -- when DVR viewings are added.

With these additional script orders for 666 Park Avenue and Last Resort, the two dramas follow The Neighbors in earning confidence from ABC. The comedy (about aliens living in a New Jersey subdivision) received an order for three more scripts one week before this news.

This leaves only one new, aired ABC show -- Nashville -- awaiting either cancellation or an order for more scripts. And since Nashville has only aired two episodes to date, we may have to wait awhile for that. One additional new comedy, Reba McIntyre's Malibu Country, has yet to premiere.

Are you excited about this news for Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue? Do the shows deserve more episodes? Leave your comments below!